1986 Canadian Armstrong MT500 Motorcycle

[MacRae]

If you remember who that was Rob let me know.... things change the longer things sit sometimes.

Here is my story on this bike so far

Here it is, Acquired March 15 2013. Photo's taken March 17 2013. Temperature -18C

Started with full choke, ran 5 mins and moved to half choke. Another 5 mins moved choke to off and she purred like a kitten. The throttle cable I suspect is too long or perhaps routed through the wrong way. Or maybe it was just too cold for the jetting to keep up but the adjustment on both the carb and the throttle housing are all the way out and its still barely idling. If I turn the handlebars all the way right turn it stretches the cable enough to hold idle. I will explore further when I get my new carb boot (old one torn).

Rode around the neighborhood (yes in the snow ), going to explore the timing because Im getting some backfiring on heavy throttle blips through the pipe and airbox. I suspect it might be one tooth off. There also seems to be some oil leaking from the head bolts or somewhere around that area. Will pin-point when it gets warmer. Maybe the seals are just needing to be wet as this bike sat for 10 or more years. I also just had the head and cylinder split as we suspected something dropped down the spark plug hole< found part of a bbq lighter inside. >

Thats it so far. Going to take it in for its safety certification and get a professional mechanic give it a once over. Can't wait for spring....